Everyone looks forward to this time of the year when the leaves begin to fall and trees turn shades of orange and red, all the warm drinks come into picture. There is one ideal beverage for the autumn season and that is the hard cider.
Like apples with a note of spice, the beverage is truly symbolic of the autumn season. With hard cider being a beverage that can be consumed on the rocks or mixed into cocktails perfect for the fall season, it is a great way to embrace the fall season.
In this post, we will also learn more about the various sorts of fall hard cider, what foods they can be paired with, the types of cider cocktails, where to look for local ciders, and how to have a cider tasting party.
Hard Cider Varieties
As defined in the previous section, the alcoholic beverage known as hard cider has many different types of flavors and variants. Standard hard cider is classified as having mild sweetness and apple like-flavors.
Some other types include extra components such as hops for bitter, ginger for kick, maple for the ultimate sweetness, or the much-loved pumpkin spices that include cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Some ciders are very dry and others are semi-sweet while ice ciders are very sweet and thick as the apples used are frozen and the juice becomes more concentrated.
Food Pairings
Due to its non-husked character, hard cider can be paired with the majority of foods. Simple ciders with caramelized apple notes pair well with rich fall meals such as butternut squash ravioli Alfredo or braised short ribs.
Dry ciders complement the flavors of fried and salty foods, the perfect partner to kale chips, baked brie with apples, rosemary nuts, and so on. In terms of desert ginger ciders are served with apple crisps and carrot cakes, and maple ciders are served with pumpkin pie.
And just as one would do with wine, a sort of yin and yang applies: match the tannins and sugars—sweeter ciders go best with stronger, sweet flavors; drier ciders go best with leaner, savory items.
Cider Cocktails
However, when it comes to use in cocktails mixology is its best bet as a drink. The one that can be considered perhaps the most classic is the cider mimosa: sparkling cider + orange juice, a fall spin to the iconic champagne cocktail.
Another good choice for a shiny tippler is combining cider with gin or vodka with sliced apples and cinnamon. Apple Pie – this tiki includes rum, cider, lemon juice, , and maple syrup.
Looking to warm up? Enjoy your Apple Toddy: cider, brandy and curaçao. Feeling adventurous? Try out the Haunted Orchard cider made with passionfruit, cider, bourbon and basil of local cider manufacturers.
Hosting A Tasting Party
What better activity than to spend time with friends in pumpkin spice cologne during the autumn and taste various types of hard ciders as well? For a tasting party choose six to ten different bottling types of cider, some of which they manufacture and others which are from other manufacturers on the market.
Provide beautiful appetizers such as caramel apples and maple walnut cheese for the fall celebration. Serving two or three fluid ounces per glass enables the consumers to take a few sips without necessarily getting overstuffed.
Stack each cider, assign people to rate aroma, sweetness, acidity on score cards and overall personal satisfaction—giving the cider that got the most votes the right to boast.
Conclusion
Bur when the autumn comes with its tastes and comparatively low temperatures, it is hard to find a beverage that is as fitting for the season as hard cider. Apple character, spices and versatility place cider in a very suitable position for the discovery of the fall season.
Try out numerous types of cider, make your preferred cider cocktails, or taste regional options. There are some combining ideas: Pair ciders with hearty comfort dishes and autumnal desserts.
Lastly, invite friends to join in cracking a few beers and creating memories for the next one. So, let hard cider be your ideal companion for all the splendid joys that comes with the festive season of the fall.
